Crystal Palace Closing in on Axel Disasi Loan from Chelsea

Crystal Palace are closing in on the loan signing of Axel Disasi from Chelsea, in a move that would hand Pierre Sage the experienced defensive leader he has been pushing for all summer.

The France international is expected to undergo a medical at Palace on Friday ahead of a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge.

Disasi rebuilt his reputation during a strong second half of last season on loan at West Ham. Even as the Hammers slid towards relegation, the centre-back emerged with credit and a queue of admirers. That form has carried into this window, where he has not been short of options.

Back in January, Disasi turned down several escape routes from Chelsea, where he had been frozen out as part of the so-called “bomb squad”, before finally agreeing to join West Ham. The east London club then explored a permanent deal this summer, only to see the defender slip towards a different part of the capital.

Palace, preparing for their first campaign under new head coach Sage, have moved decisively. With Maxence Lacroix sold to Chelsea earlier in the window for £52million, the need for a seasoned centre-back has grown by the week.

Sage did little to hide that fact when he faced questions on Thursday.

“Yes. We need a player in this department, a player with a lot of games, if possible, in the Premier League,” he said when asked if a centre-back was a priority before the window shuts. “We need players, but we need a leader and that's why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one.”

Pressed on whether that leader could be Disasi, Sage kept his cards close to his chest, offering only: “He's a player from Chelsea.”

If Palace complete the deal as expected, that description will not apply for much longer.